I’m an absolute SUCKER for unique ways to celebrate a wedding. Who ever said the order had to be ceremony, cocktail hour, reception?! Here’s your permission to break the mold and make it YOUR day.

Without further ado, here’s 3 ideas to inspire you to be different:

Games, games, games

If you’re a game fanatic like I am (I barely leave the house without some type of game!), then incorporating them into your day would just make sense.

Keep your eyes peeled for rentals in your area for perhaps a giant Connect 4, outdoor ping pong, foosball, yard toss, or if you’re wanting to bring some old-school nostalgia into your day, perhaps you rent a skee ball or two. These options could offer a great alternative for those needing a cool down from the dance floor, or prefer to mingle outside in the summer air.

Have a Hidden bar!

If your venue/home allows for it, offering a hidden or additional bar for guests to find is such an exciting option. I planned a woodland wedding for a couple at the lake home, and we had an extended cocktail hour for guests to experience the property – inclusive of a hidden bar in the woods, scavenger hunt, bounce house, yard games and more. Guests were thrilled! Even if your venue doesn’t allow for a “hidden” option, offering more than one area to snag a beverage allows for a great flow.

For The Foodie Couple

Having a small guest list, and hoping for an intimate experience? What about shooting for the stars with a cooking class during cocktail hour? For larger guest counts, you could have guests craft their own cocktail. Or maybe you have a family-style dinner experience for guests to pass and share their entrees. Either way – YUM.

If you’re an experience-based person, these options could bring you a lot of joy.

Switch up the timeline!

Dare to throw off aunt Edna (who never strays from tradition)

What if you - dare I say, had cocktail hour BEFORE the ceremony? If you have multiple shuttles coming in for guests, this could be a great way to manage the timeline. It’s also a fun way to kick off the celebration.

What if you - dare I say part TWO, didn’t have a full-blown dinner on your wedding day? Consider a cocktail-style reception in which you have served appetizers throughout the night, lounge areas, and cocktail tables displayed throughout. If you do have a different experience such as this, be sure to give guests a heads up. Should they eat dinner ahead of time? Will it be a sit-down meal? Just think about what you would be curious on if you were a guest.

What if you planned your day based on what you LOVE? Love yoga and walking your dog? Love a certain downtown restaurant? Love having coffee on the porch? Spend your day in a way that brings you joy! And don’t forget to give yourself TIME throughout the day.

My advice isn’t to take these ideas and do every one of them - it’s to think about what would scream you, and incorporate that.

Happy celebrating!